Family: Cyprinidae
Distribution: Puntius titteya, commonly known as Cherry Barb, is an Asian freshwater species found in Sri Lanka’s Kelani and Nilwala basins; it is distributed in shaded streams and has a preference for shallow, slow-flowing waters.
PH: 6.0 – 8.0
Temperature: 23°C – 27C (73 – 81F)
Hardness: 5 – 19 dH
Description: Puntius titteya can reach a maximum length of around 5 cm. This elongated species has a fawn-coloured, green-tinged top and a silver side and belly. It has a distinctive horizontal stripe – brown-black to deep blue-black – that goes from its snout to its caudal fin. Males are redder than females and become brightly coloured when breeding; females are lighter and have yellow fins.
Diet: This omnivore eats anything you give it in an aquarium environment; a quality dried food product can serve as a base diet, supplement this with live and frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia. You should feed this species the same diet as Puntius tinto.
Breeding: Condition Puntius titteya on live foods before attempting to spawn them. This egg-scattering species is easy to breed – best done in pairs – and you should provide a dim-lit tank and spawning mops so the females can deposit their eggs effectively. The eggs will hatch in 24 – 36 hours and the fry will be swimming freely in a further 3 – 4 days. Feed the fry on Infusoria before it is large enough to accept microworm or nauplii.
Comments: You should house a small group of Cherry Barb in a 70 litre tank. Provide a river sand substrate, dimmed lighting and some driftwood to simulate its natural environment. It is advised you provide some surface vegetation, along with plenty of open area for swimming. These fish are easy to keep and are therefore suitable for beginners.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Puntius titteya should be kept in groups of at least six. Keep it with small, community fish; Danios, Guppies and Glassfish are all good options.
Originally posted 2010-01-24 19:29:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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